There are lots of things that happen in comics to get excited over. Most of the time that has to do with getting a comic created and just holding that in your hands. Believe me, when you've been struggling and trying to get something created, finally holding it in your hands, after much effort and expense, feels akin to holding your firstborn. (At least, that's how it felt for me.)

Then there are the reviews that come in. Just seeing that your comic has been reviewed is exciting in itself, whether or not the reviewer liked it. (And if they didn't, finding out if it's just their taste or if there's something truly wrong with the book needs to be investigated.)

Then, of course, being offered a contract is exciting. Someone liking your work well enough to offer you a contract for publication can be very exciting. It's the reason why most of us got into comics. Very often, that contract is the physical representation of our hopes and dreams. (And it doesn’t matter who the contract is with. For many of us, Marvel and DC are the pinnacle of comics creation, and getting a contract from them would make us swoon. However, there are lots of other companies that are just as worthy.)

There are also meetings that you can get excited about. Say you've published a comic or six. Someone from Hollywood sees it, loves it, and wants to set up a meeting with you to talk about optioning it. That's something to get excited about, wouldn't you say?

All of these things happen. All of these things are worthy of getting excited about. However, the "higher" or "more important" a thing is, the more you have to temper that excitement with a bit of wariness.

You've been offered a contract? Good! Now read it and understand it. Go over it with a lawyer if you have trouble with the language. Know your rights, know what they're asking for, and ask for things of your own. Speak up if you're not happy about something. A contract is there because they are open for negotiation. Remember that.

For Hollywood, understand that it takes an extraordinary set of circumstances in order to get a movie or show made. And it isn't just you. There are tons of properties being optioned or represented in Hollywood without anything coming of it. It can take a long time. Powers was in limbo for years before finally making it to the Playstation Network. (Now, Bendis is a great writer and Powers is groundbreaking, but the PSN isn't what I'd consider a triumph for television. It's not like it's Netflix, Amazon or Hulu.)

Being excited is great, but in order to do the best for your property, you have to temper that excitement some. You learn to do that, and you'll find you can go from strength to strength.